USB charging station with no caveats?

I have numerous micro USB devices that I would like to charge simultaneously. I'd like one charger to rule them all. My thought is to buy an AC to USB adapter, then plug a hub into that, but my guess is that the wall adapter is built as cheaply as possible to accomodate one device at a time. I've got Kindle Fires, regular-ass Kindles, Blackberrys, Android phones, and some iCrap to deal with.

I don't want them to default to "trickle charging" as they sometimes do when plugged into computers, and I certainly don't want them to intelligently detect that I didn't buy the adapter from their company and simply refuse to charge.

Is there a proper charging hub out there that can deliver a few honest amps? The only thing I could find that looks like someone put thought into is this:

But I'm not sure it's capable of the higher power that the iPad can draw. The cords are also short enough that big devices can bump into each other, but it works. It ships with I think two USB connectors- one mini, one micro and they let you mail order 2-3 more for free. Beyond that, you pay for what you need if you need different tips.

I've got mine configured with two micro-USB, a Nintendo DS charger, and and Apple 30-pin.

Remember that 500mA/device is the USB standard. Apple violates that standard with their special iPad charger.

You are correct, but these days many devices violate that standard by pulling more juice. My hope is that someone will recognize this and build a charger that can handle the extra draw. Voltage is the same, right? Should just be a matter of supplying more amperage.

i have one of those griffin chargers, and i can say it didn't die in the 3 months i've been using it. i'm not sure it supplies full (>.5a) amperage to charge big stuff, however. i've never needed to plug my wife's ipad in while in a car.

it could be substituted for any 120vac->12vdc power supply, of which there are many, including one in your pc that will do as many amps as you want. i.e. any old psu laying around will do the same as the first part i listed, but with much more current capacity.

About a year ago, I built my own Charging Station that could handle 4 USB powered devices. I went to a Christmas Tree shop and found a "Curio" cabinet for cheap. Then I bought 2 female dual-USB ports used for surface mount installations and a 5-amp 5-volt switching power supply. I cut two notches in the back of the Curio for the USB ports, mounted the power supply underneath the curio and ran power from the 5v power supply up to the USB ports. I then put a tiny blob of solder across the + and - Data pins to short them together. This indicates to most devices (except Apple) that a full 1-amp is available for charging.

Right now I charge 2 cell phones, a BT headset, and a Kindle off it just fine. It was a weekend project, but a lot of fun. And now I have a charging station for my stuff.

As you can see from the photos, the "curio" cabinet (it holds your "curiosities") from Xmas Tree shoppe looks pretty nice considering it is actually just made of MDF or something low-grade of that nature. It fits nicely in the corner and it holds two cell phones, my BT headset and occasionally a Kindle (although I originally designed it thinking it would hold an iPad2.)

I purchased a MeanWell 5vDC 5-amp Switching (open frame) power supply and mounted it on the underside of the bottom of the cabinet. Although the caveat with this PSU was that it required that I purchase some other bits to connect up the mains power as well as run the wires up to the USB ports. Anyway, it is spec'd at 75% efficiency which was good enough for me considering the price of $14 or so.

For USB ports, I purchased 2 like Glenn posted, except they were "dual" ported ones (for a total of 4 USB ports.) Soldering wires on to the contacts wasn't that hard. Dropped blobs of solder across the data lines (which are the two middle pins on the surface mounts.) Then I wrapped them in electrical tape and/or heat shrink tubing. Cut USB-sized notches in the cabinet and mounted them in place.

Voila! a 5-amp USB-chargey station. Enough to power an iPad (2.1A), two cell phones (1A each), and peripherals (300ma) -- Voltage is rock-solid at something like 5.02v. Even under load.

This Engadget article says the Datamation Power Pad 16 is specifically for Apple products. Apparently each USB port will put out 2.1 amps. I haven't seen any prices for it. It seems to be more for corporate environments than for end-users. Big, fugly and may be pricey.

You are best served by making one like Deffexor did. Now if you can just locate a Curio Cabinet.

Or go for what Ian linked to. Clearly designed for the chi-chi Apple crowd.

I can't believe nobody has brought a modern USB charging station to market...

There are so many kludges, hacks and flat out violations of the standards it would be asking for a returns nightmare.

Apple do their own thing (that I think negotiates with the host about how much is available), Nokia have another variant that seems to validate that it is a Nokia cable as well. PLus there is the liability when a 500mA minimum standard cable catches fire.

USB3 ups the available power in the standard - something might emerge around that.

What about just getting an old-fashioned AT-format computer power supply, cut the Molex connectors off, then use each of the red/black 5VDC wires to feed a USB port? You can pretty it up however it suits your fancy, but if all you're after is easy 5V power with plenty of amps, why not do some simple wiring/soldering and have a rugged 120VAC voltage converter. Using the 12VDC yellow/black rails could be handy for other things too.

Just a quick glance at the nearest 200W PS I have lying around reveals a 5VDC amperage of 22A max, not to exceed 140W total draw across the 5 & 3.3VDC rails. That's more than enough for any amount of stuff that would need charging, plus it's already in a metal enclosure with it's own cooling fan and usually a simple power switch too.

I just bought this unit from amazon.com which has 10 ports and a 2.5A power supply. What's the benefit of a full on charging station compared that hub? More power for faster charges? Doesn't a faster charge result in less overall capacity?